“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6).

There are many things that are decent and good, but reasonable people know that there are many things that are not.  There are those who, gifted by awakening of the Holy Spirit, desire righteousness, who pine for goodness and decency to be what guides our land and are satisfied by the Good News of Christ.  This world may not yet be corrected, but the Holy Spirit is satisfying the faithful who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Lord, for me to be satisfied, I need not see what You have promised become reality, but by faith, I know it will come and that gives me peace.  You have told us the things which shall happen before the end comes, and You speak truth.  In the hunger for righteousness in this world, let it begin with me seeking the new life You have given me.  Let my hunger be satisfied by Your word.

Lord Jesus, You have spoken; your words fill my longing for righteousness, and I am satisfied.  You have told me to seek first Your righteousness and then all else that is needed shall be added.  Guide me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go so that I may live into this life You have given me, not in desperation, as do those around me who have no hope, but in satisfaction knowing that the Father’s will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Amen.

“Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

What nobility is supposed to be is gentle. The gentle man was supposed to be the one who had been given much and used his gifts for the sake of the community.  The gentle are they who use their faith to help others.  This is not about gaining worldly wealth, but about being a steward of all that the Lord has given you and using it for His kingdom.  The Lord desires all to possess the true riches of His kingdom.

Lord, I live in a greedy age where people scramble to get on top of each other, seeking to gain as much for themselves as possible.  You have already promised the new earth for those who are gentle.  Not with greed, but in sincerity and truth, lead me to be gentle with others for Your sake.  Whatever that truly means, lead me in this day to see through the cloud of  sin in me to come into the clear place of faith and the shining truths You have revealed.

Lord Jesus, You have purpose for every word You have spoken.  You did not come to just lift us up, brush us off and send us on our way.  You came that we might have true life through You, The One through whom all things have their being.  Guide me, my Savior, to walk humbly with You, and teach me what it means to be gentle.  Lead me in Your goodness and purpose that I may know that I am Your gentle servant.  Amen

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

Over and beyond those who are suffering loss, how many mourn over the state of this world?  Too many eat, drink, and make merry thinking this world is just fine the way it is.  It is not.  Sin, death, and the devil cause great pain and suffering.  Do you mourn the state of the world?  The comfort of the Lord is not some salve, but the hope we all have that because He lives, we too shall live.

Lord, You have conquered sin, death, and the devil.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You I do have hope and a future.  You have called me out of the world to be a part of Your kingdom.  Even though I still have one foot in this world, I yet have hope in the resurrection.  Help me to understand this paradox so that I may humbly walk with You, my God and Maker.

Lord Jesus, You spoke words that call each of us to mourn the loss of eternal life for every soul who rejects the faith.  You Have called us beyond ourselves to have concern for the state of the world.  Lead me this day to lament this world, but also to rejoice in the salvation which is mine in You.  Let the comfort I receive be that which You give, enabling me this day to live in the true hope of salvation.  Amen.

“And He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:2-3).

Those who know they are in need are the ones who will seek to fill the need.  Those who do not think they have all they need are open to receiving what is needed.  We are all poor and we all need the Holy Spirit.  Those who know this and receive the Holy Spirit are a part of the kingdom of heaven.  The state of the sinful heart must change, and Jesus has come to give us a new, clean hearts.

Jesus, You said that You would make all things new.  Begin amidst the poverty of my condition to create in me a new and clean heart.  I need Your Holy Spirit to keep me from polluting this heart.  You have called me into the kingdom of heaven, and You know what is needed to prepare me to dwell there with You.  On my own I am poor but in You I am rich.  On my own I am a bundle of selfish nerves, but in and by Your Spirit, I have received the power to become a child of God.

Lord Jesus, I need Your salvation.  Take away from me any spirit which thinks I do not need today what You came to give me.  I need the Holy Spirit by which I have been sealed as Yours forever, Lord.  Bring me to the place where I am humble and willing to live in the truth that I am dependent upon You, the author and finisher of my faith, to do all that is needed this day to walk as a child of the Heavenly Father.  Amen.

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him” (Matthew 5:1).

Please note how practical Jesus is.  The crowds have come, so He goes up the hill and has the people set down in a natural amphitheater.  He can then speak to the thousands who are gathered.  Our Lord always knows what He is doing.  Who knows whether He created the place to be as it was for just this purpose?  Jesus will do all that is needed to complete our faith.  You have His word on that.

What an amazing thing it would be to see Jesus.  At every turn, He took advantage of the opportunity to share with others the gift of the Good News of the freedom which He came to give to all who believe.  Help us to walk in that Good News and share with others what has been shared through the Gospels.  Help us take advantage of every situation that Your witness may be heard in a world that is crazy, going everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

Lead me Savior in the way You would have me go.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You there is always hope.  All the days ahead of me are in Your hands.  Therefore, lead me today so that I may do those things which will make tomorrow a good day in Your sight.  Help me to find those places where I can speak to the concerns which are all around me.  Guide me in Your goodness Lord now and forever.  Amen.

“And the news about Him spread throughout Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and severe pain, demon-possessed, people with epilepsy, and people who were paralyzed; and He healed them. Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan” (Matthew 4:24-25).

The world has always been filled with many who are in need.  The Lord went about healing.  He still does, but we often give Him no credit when He does heal.  Always keep in mind that this life is temporary but the life to come is forever.  Yes, live today, but also keep in mind tomorrow.  Know that the Gospel is not just for our community, but for the whole world.  That is why the Syrians came to Jesus.

Lord, I often keep a simple picture in my mind of how things were.  Life is always a bit more complex than I think.  Guide me to look more carefully at the world where I am so that, with sensitivity, I may minister to those around me.  Lead me in Your goodness and mercy to see that in You is my hope for the life to come.  Lead me also to be faithful in this life that You have given me here and now.

My Savior, You know what I need today.  Your Holy Spirit will speak to me, and my experience and thoughts will answer.  Lead me to listen to the Holy Spirit so that I may practice the obedience of faith in the struggles I have in this life.  I can do all things necessary if You lead me.  No matter what You ask me to do, help me to listen and obey as You direct me.  Aid me to reach out to others with the Good News of Your salvation.  Amen.

“Jesus was going about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people” (Matthew 4:23).

Jesus’ ministry of healing and His proclamation got the attention of the people, but we know that it would have a different direction after He was resurrected.  Thank the Lord for the healing of the body; but that is temporary.  The resurrecting of the body and soul is forever.  The Gospel is not just about the gift of grace, but more importantly, it points to where all of this life is heading. 

You know, Lord, that I sometimes just think in terms of the moment.  To be sure, I should neither live in the past, nor concentrate on the future, but I am aware of both.  Help me to live in these moments You give me, but also keep in mind the direction I am heading.  You have set me free from sin, death, and the devil for a purpose.  Lead me in Your purpose always that I may live out the Gospel and do the ministry You give me in my time here.

Jesus, the Good News and action go hand in hand.  The Gospel is the Gospel when it is accompanied by the works You give me to do.  You are creating in me a whole new person who is becoming like You.  Guide me step by step as I journey in each moment You give me, knowing that in You I have hope and a future.  Send me where You will, Jesus, and help me to always be faithful.  Amen.

“Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.  Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him” (Matthew 4:20-22).

It is best when you immediately do what the Lord has asked you to do.  How many times do we waver?  Repent, return, and walk with the Lord.  John and James left what they were doing, and also followed the Lord.  We know from Scripture that this was just the beginning.  For us also, taking these steps to follow Jesus is just the beginning.  He has called each of us and has great purpose for our lives.  Leave behind what needs to be left behind and walk with the Lord.

Almighty God, You have set all things upon their course.  You know me and You have seen all the things I have done in my life.  You have prepared me, and at the right moment, You have called me to walk with You.  It is mystery to me, but not to You.  You know my end from the beginning, for You are the Alpha and Omega.  Help me to leave behind these things to look forward to knowing You for all eternity.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh.  You have come to earth and led the way for all who would follow You.  Coming in ordinary garb, You walked, and still walk, preaching and teaching so that as many as would see the light, hear Your word of truth, be moved by the Holy Spirit, and walk into Your kingdom.  Continue to be the One who leads me this day in order that I may walk in Your goodness and light.  Amen.

“Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people.”

Jesus comes and calls each one of us.  He will make of us what He will make of us.  Remember the words of St. Paul which told us that there are many parts of the body.  Listen to the Lord and humbly walk with Him wherever He leads You.  Be guided in His goodness and mercy.  Repent when You get off the path, get back on the narrow way and see that Jesus is the One who is making of You what He has always intended.

Lord, I see that a large part of the problem is that I want to be the one in the driver’s seat.  You have come calling me to follow You.  Help me to hear and obey.  As You called Simon and Andrew, so You call me.  Andrew and Simon were fishermen, and You changed their focus to gathering for the kingdom those whom You knew and called through them.  Help me to learn my part according to Your will.

Lord, You have already given me the desire to do my part in Your kingdom.  Lead me in Your goodness to see what You would have me do today and then help me to do what You have given me to do.  Through the water of my baptism, You have given me the commission to become a disciple and learn all that You will teach me.  Guide me to become the person You are making me to be.  Amen.

“From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).

It begins with repentance.  Repentance is both turning away and turning to.  Turn from sin, death, and the devil.  Turn from the way of the old Adam.  Turn to the way of living what is right.  If you’ve made the wrong turn, then go back to the place of the wrong turn and take the right one.  But this is only the beginning.  The kingdom of heaven is at hand.  If you turn your eyes upon Jesus and walk with Him, you walk focused on the true life before you, our Lord and Savior.

Lord, I do not know what heaven will be like, but I know that You will be there.  Why do I focus on things, when You, the Creator of all things, have offered Your hand to lead me.  Help me to change my focus to You.  You have called for me to follow You in this relationship that You are offering me. Lead me ever deeper into walking with You so that I may continue on the right way.

Jesus, I am a sinner who has repented.  I need the grace which You give.  I need to have my course corrected.  I thank You that You have provided grace so that I can repent knowing that my life in faith is not dependent upon being perfect but promises to make me perfect because I am walking with You.  Lead me this day to walk humbly with You as You lead me.  Teach me again and again where I need to repent and turn to You, for You are always near.  Amen.